Archive for the ‘Corolla’ Category

Ever since General Motors announced plans to pull out of the NUMMI plant in Fremont, California, its partner in that venture -- Toyota -- has been evaluating what to do with its own operations there. There's been much speculation as to whether Toyota would continue production on a limited basis, find a new partner, or sell its stake in the plant entirely.

It appears the matter has now been decided: according to Japan's Asahi Shimbun, Toyota will end operations at NUMMI by the March 2010 (although the company itself says no official decision has been reached). Assuming that information is accurate, Toyota will need to shift production of the...

Want American-made and fuel-efficient? A small car, too? You don't have many choices.

Shoppers are valuing fuel efficiency more than before, especially now that they might be able to take advantage of a $4,500 Cash-for-Clunkers incentive. While there are plenty of stars-and-stripes-waving larger vehicles, the list of smaller, frugal American-made cars is very limited.

And at a time when you're likely wondering how you can do your part to support the economy—whether locally or nationally—chances are the dealership salesperson will be of little help to some nagging shopping questions like "Where is this car built?"

Luckily, you'll find...

Just three days after we reported that Toyota Motor America chairman Yoshimi Inaba was exploring a variety of cost-saving measures for the company's U.S. unit comes word that Toyota's important NUMMI plant is likely set for closure.

The factory (full name: "New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.") is located in Fremont, California, and with its 420,000 vehicle-per-year capacity, it provides an important supply line to California drivers and their boundless thirst for Toyota vehicles.  The plant was built by General Motors in the early 1960s, then shuttered in 1982. GM and Toyota partnered to reopen the facility two years later as a cost-saving...